U.S. patent number 6,315,289 [Application Number 09/395,770] was granted by the patent office on 2001-11-13 for game machine informing small hit prize.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aruze Corporation. Invention is credited to Yoshikazu Sakamoto, Hiroshi Yoshida.
United States Patent |
6,315,289 |
Sakamoto , et al. |
November 13, 2001 |
Game machine informing small hit prize
Abstract
A conventional game machine informs a player that a big hit
prize is caused by inner lottery, however, it does not inform the
player that a small hit prize is caused. Prize determination
(probability lottery processing) is carried out by determining to
which prize group in a prize determining table a random number
value generated by a random number generator 36 and specified by a
sampling circuit 37 pertain (step 103). When a hit flag of a small
hit prize is erected as a result of the inner lottery (step 104), a
process of emitting small hit informing sound is carried out (step
105). According to the informing sound emitting processing, a
speaker drive circuit 43 is controlled by CPU 31 and the speaker 39
emits informing sound A, B, C and D in accordance with the kind of
the hit flag of the small hit prize.
Inventors: |
Sakamoto; Yoshikazu (Tokyo,
JP), Yoshida; Hiroshi (Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
Aruze Corporation (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
26544434 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/395,770 |
Filed: |
September 14, 1999 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 26, 1997 [JP] |
|
|
9-340746 |
Sep 14, 1998 [JP] |
|
|
10-260071 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/121B;
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
17/32 (20130101); G07F 17/3227 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
17/32 (20060101); A63F 009/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;463/16,20
;273/138.1,121B,143R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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38 30 648 |
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0 720 129 |
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0875870A2 |
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2 057 738 |
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2 117 155 |
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2 326 260 |
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62-127086 |
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Jun 1987 |
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9-309735 |
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Oct 1997 |
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JP |
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9-271559 |
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Oct 1997 |
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JP |
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10-33750 |
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Feb 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-272230 |
|
Oct 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-305128 |
|
Nov 1998 |
|
JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Martin-Wallace; Valencia
Assistant Examiner: Kasick; Julie
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A game machine comprising:
prize mode determining means which determines a prize mode of a
game with reference to a probability table comprising data for
classifying a drawn random number to a plurality of small hit prize
modes and other respective prize modes, and
informing means for informing a player of the kind of small hit
prize mode determined by a random number lottery with reference to
an informing determination table for determining the prize mode to
be informed at a predetermined probability determined by the random
number lottery with reference to the informing determination
table.
2. A game machine according to claim 1:
wherein when a prize mode other than the small hit prize modes is
determined by the prize mode determining means, the informing means
informs the player of one of the small hit prize modes at the
predetermined probability.
3. A game machine according to claim 1:
wherein the informing determination table which is used by said
informing means for determining the prize mode to be informed is an
informing selection lottery probability table comprising data for
classifying the drawn random number into a respective prize mode to
be informed.
4. A game machine according to claim 1:
wherein the informing determination table which is used by said
informing means for determining the prize mode to be informed is a
demonstration lottery table selected with reference to a
demonstration lottery table selecting table comprising data for
classifying a combination of a game state and the prize mode
determined by said prize mode determining means into a respective
demonstration lottery table, in accordance with the game state and
the prize mode.
5. A game machine according to claim 1:
wherein the prize mode determining means comprises:
random number generating means for generating random numbers in a
constant range;
random number sampling means for sampling an arbitrary random
number from the random numbers generated by the random number
generating means; and
random number classifying means for classifying the random number
sampled by the random number sampling means to the respective prize
modes.
6. A game machine according to claim 1:
wherein the informing means informs the player of the kind of small
hit prize modes by emitting a plurality of sounds.
7. A game machine according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of rotating reels with outer peripheries that are
illustrated with various patterns for stopping and displaying a
combination of the patterns in accordance with the prize mode
determined by the prize mode determining means; and
a plurality of light sources installed to the respective rotating
reels for illuminating the patterns stopped and displayed by the
respective rotating reels from a rear side;
wherein the informing means informs the player of the kind of small
hit prize modes by lighting and displaying the respective light
sources in a plurality of modes.
8. A game machine according to claim 1:
wherein the game machine is a slot machine or a pinball game
machine.
Description
This patent application claims priority based on the Japanese
patent application, H10-260071 filed on Sep. 14, 1998 the content
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a game machine in which prize mode
is determined by random number lottery and a small hit prize is
caused.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has conventionally been, for example, a slot machine as a
game machine of this kind. In a general slot machine, as shown by
FIG. 1A, three reels 3, 4 and 5 are installed in parallel on a rear
side of a front panel 2. Various patterns are illustrated on outer
peripheries of the respective reels 3 through 5, and the patterns
are illuminated from behind by built-in light sources (back
lights), not illustrated, installed at the respective reels and are
observed via respective windows 6, 7 and 8 formed at the front
panel 2. Five prize lines are described in the windows and the slot
machine game is carried out in accordance with whether a
combination of predetermined patterns is set on any of the prize
lines.
The game is started when a player puts a coin into a slot and when
the coin is put into the slot, as shown by FIG. 1A, all of the back
lights are lighted. When a coin of the player has not been put
thereinto by the player for a constant time period after finishing
the game, or the like, all of the back lights are extinguished as
shown by FIG. 1B. The respective reels 3 through 5 are rotated in
accordance with operation of a start lever by the player and the
respective windows 6 through 8 are displayed with the patterns
which move to rotate in directions of columns thereof. When the
respective reels 3 through 5 reach a constant speed, operation of
respective stop buttons installed in correspondence with the
respective reels 3 through 5 becomes effective.
The player operates the respective stop buttons while observing the
moving patterns and stops rotation of the respective reels 3
through 5 to thereby stop and display desired patterns on any of
the prize lines. The respective reels 3 through 5 stop rotating in
accordance with operational timings of the respective stop buttons.
When a predetermined combination of patterns is displayed on any of
the prize lines in stopping them, a prize in accordance with the
combination of patterns is obtained.
There are a big hit prize, a medium hit prize, a small hit prize
and so on in prize modes and the big hit prize or the medium hit
prize is caused when three of patterns "7" or patterns of a
predetermined character are set on the prize line. A special game
of big bonus game (BB game) in the case of the big hit prize or
regular bonus game (RB game) in the case of the medium hit prize is
carried out and a large amount of coins can be acquired. Further,
the small hit prize is caused when three of patterns of, for
example, "cherry" or "bell" are aligned on the prize line and
several coins can be acquired in the small hit prize. FIG. 1C shows
a case in which patterns "bell" are aligned on a central prize line
and in this case, back lights are caused to blink.
Such prize modes are determined by a lottery of random numbers
which is carried out immediately after operating the start lever
and has already been determined before the respective reels are
operated to stop by the player. The lottery of random numbers is
executed by prize mode determining means constituted inside the
game machine. When the big hit prize is determined by the lottery
of random numbers, a lamp installed at the front panel of the
machine is lighted and the player is informed of the fact that the
big hit prize is caused by the inner lottery of the machine.
Thereafter, rotation of the respective reels is controlled to stop
in accordance with the operation of the stop buttons by the player
and the prize is caused when a combination of patterns of the prize
determined by the lottery of random numbers is stopped and
displayed on the prize line.
However, according to the conventional game machine, although the
player is informed of the fact that a big hit prize is caused by
the inner lottery, the player is not informed on the fact that a
small hit prize is caused by the inner lottery. There fore, the
player does not know that the small hit prize has been determined
by random number lottery inside the machine until patterns are
actually stopped and displayed at the respective windows.
Therefore, when a small hit prize is determined by the inner
lottery, the player cannot know in advance the result of the inner
lottery and accordingly, when the player initially operates to stop
rotation of the reel, the player cannot know which patterns may be
aligned on the prize line.
Further, according to the above-described conventional game
machine, the player is informed of a result of the inner lottery in
which a big hit prize is caused by simply lighting the lamp and
accordingly, there is no interest created in the game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been carried out in order to address such
a problem and is characterized in that in a game machine having
prize mode determining means for determining a prize mode of a game
by a random number lottery, the game machine comprises informing
means for informing a player that a small hit prize is determined
by the prize mode determining means.
According to the invention, the player can know in advance that the
small hit prize is caused by the inner lottery and can easily carry
out the stopping operation.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the player
is also informed of the kind of the small hit prize. For example,
the kind of the small hit prize is informed to the player by
emitting a plurality of kinds of sound.
According to the invention, the player can previously know the kind
of the small hit prize and can carry out the button stopping
operation easily.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that when the
small hit prize is determined by the prize mode determining means,
the informing means announces the small hit prize to the player
with a predetermined probability. Further, the present invention is
characterized in that the small hit prize is announced to the
player with the predetermined probability even when a prize mode
other than the small hit prize is determined by the prize mode
determining means.
According to the invention, there is a case in which the small hit
prize mode is informed to the player and there is a case in which
the small hit prize mode is not informed to the player. Further,
the small hit prize mode is informed with the predetermined
probability even when the prize mode other than the small hit prize
is determined by the prize mode determining means. Therefore,
information of the small hit prize mode is expected by the player
and when the result of the inner lottery is announced, pleasure of
the player is enhanced and enjoyment of the game is promoted.
That is, according to the invention, the player can know in advance
that a small hit prize is caused by the inner lottery by the
informing sound emitted by the informing means or lighting the reel
back lamps which the informing means controls to light and
therefore, the player can easily carry out the button stopping
operation. Further, by constructing the constitution in which the
informing means also informs the kind of the small hit prize to the
player, the button stopping operation can further easily be carried
out by the player. Further, when the small hit prize is announced
in advance, a player can enjoy the game by hearing the informing
sound or looking at a display mode of lamp, and enjoyment of the
game is enhanced. Further, by constructing the constitution in
which the player is informed at the predetermined probability, when
the player is informed of a prize, pleasure of the player is
enhanced and enjoyment of the game is further promoted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are views showing states of lighting respective
reel back lamps in a conventional slot machine;
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an outlook of a slot machine
according to a first, a second and a third respective embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a rotating reel unit of the
slot machine shown by FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing a structure of a
rotating reel constituting the rotating reel unit shown by FIG.
3;
FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are views showing states in which prize lines
described in display windows of the slot machine shown by FIG. 2
become successively effective;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a constitution of principal
control circuits of the slot machine shown by FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a prize probability table used in a
game process of the slot machine according to the first, the second
and the third respective embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a symbol table used in a game process
of the slot machine according to the first, the second and the
third respective embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a first flowchart showing a game process of the slot
machine according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 10 is a second flowchart showing a game process of the slot
machine according to the first, the second and the third respective
embodiments of the present invention;
FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and 11E are timing chart diagrams showing
timings of emitting informing sound in a game process of the slot
machine according to the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a prize mode informing selection
lottery probability table used in a game process of the slot
machine according to the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a first flowchart showing a game process of the slot
machine according to the second and the third respective
embodiments of the invention;
FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G, 14H, 14I and 14J are
timing chart diagrams showing timings of respective portions of
circuits in a game process of the slot machine according to the
second and the third respective embodiments of the invention;
FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D are views showing display modes of reel
back lamps controlled to light by informing means in a game process
of the slot machine according to the second embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a demonstration lottery table
selecting table used in a game process of the slot machine
according to the third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a first demonstration lottery table
used in a game process of the slot machine according to the third
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a second demonstration lottery table
used in a game process of the slot machine according to the third
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a third demonstration lottery table
used in a game process of the slot machine according to the third
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 20A is a diagram showing a content of a game level status
(GMLVSTS) storing region stored in RAM of the slot machine
according to the third embodiment and FIG. 20B is a diagram showing
a content of a flag counter (FLGCTR) storing region stored in the
RAM;
FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C and 21D are views showing display modes of reel
back lamps controlled to light by the informing means in a game
process of the slot machine according to the third embodiment of
the invention; and
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a content of informing selection
lottery processing according to the third embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Next, an explanation will be given of a first embodiment in which a
game machine according to the present invention is applied to a
slot machine.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a slot machine 1 according to the
embodiment.
Three reels 3, 4 and 5 constituting a variable display device are
rotatably installed on a rear side of a front panel 2 of the slot
machine 1. Columns of symbols comprising pluralities of kinds of
patterns (hereinafter, referred to as symbol) are illustrated on
outer peripheral faces of the respective reels 3, 4 and 5. Three of
the symbols are observed via each of display windows 6, 7 and 8 at
the front face of the slot machine 1. Further, a slot 9 into which
a player inserts coins is installed on the lower right side of the
display windows 6, 7 and 8.
The respective reels 3 through 5 are constituted as a rotating reel
unit shown by FIG. 3 and are attached to a frame 51 via brackets
52. Each of the reels 3 through 5 is constituted by pasting a reel
band 54 on the outer periphery of a reel drum 53. The
above-described symbol column is illustrated on the outer
peripheral face of the reel band 54. Further, each of the brackets
52 is installed with a stepping motor 55 and the respective reels 3
through 5 are rotated by being driven by the motors 55.
FIG. 4a shows the structure of each of the respective reels 3
through 5. Further, portions of FIGS. 4A and 4B the same as those
in FIG. 3 are attached with the same notations and an explanation
thereof will be omitted. A lamp case 56 is installed inside the
reel drum 53 on the rear side of the reel band 54 and back lamps
57a, 57b and 57c are respectively attached to three respective
chambers of the lamp case 56. As shown by FIG. 4B, the back lamps
57a, 57b and 57c are mounted on a board 58 and the board 58 is
attached to the rear side of the lamp case 56. A photosensor 59 is
attached to the bracket 52. The photosensor 59 detects a shield
plate 60 installed to the reel drum 53 to pass through the
photosensor 59 in accordance with rotation of the reel drum 53.
The respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c are individually
controlled to light by a lamp drive circuit 48, mentioned later. By
lighting the respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c, three symbols
disposed on the front side of the respective back lamps 57a, 57b
and 57c among symbols illustrated on the reel bands 54 are
individually lighted from the rear side and three symbols are
projected on each of the respective display windows 6 through
8.
Further, the display windows 6 through 8 shown by FIG. 2 are
described with prize lines of three horizontal lines (central line
L1 and upper and lower lines L2A and L2B) as well as two skew lines
(skew right downward line L3A and skew right upward line L3B).
Before starting a game, when a player puts one sheet of coin into
the coin slot 9, only the central prize line L1 on the respective
reels 3 through 5 is made effective as shown by FIG. 5A. Further,
when two sheets of coins are put into the slot 9, the upper and the
lower prize lines L2A and L2B are added thereto and three
horizontal lines of the prize lines L1, L2A and L2B are made
effective as shown by FIG. 5B. Further, when three sheets of coins
are put into the slot 9, all the prize lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A and
L3B are made effective as shown by FIG. 5C.
Further, circular marks in the FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C represent
symbols illustrated on the respective reels 3 through 5. The
effectiveness of the prize line is displayed to the player by
lighting effective line display lamps 23 (refer to FIG. 2) arranged
at end portions of the respective prize lines.
Further, a 1BET switch 10, a 2BET switch 11 and a maxBET switch 12
are installed on the lower left side of the display windows 6
through 8. When coins are credited at a credit number display unit
13, instead of putting coins into the coin slot 9, by operating
respective push buttons of the 1BET switch 10, the 2BET switch 11
and the maxBET switch 12, one sheet, two sheets and three sheets of
coins are respectively betted in one game. The credit number
display unit 13 is constituted by 7 segments LEDs (Light Emitting
Diode) in accordance with a number of a digit of a displayed
numerical value and displays a number of coins currently
credited.
A credit/pay out switch (C/P switch) 14 and a start lever 15 are
installed on the lower side of the BET switches 10 through 12 and
stop buttons 16, 17 and 18 are installed at a central portion of
the machine on the right side of the start lever 15. By operating
the push button of the C/P switch 14, game credit/pay out of coins
can be switched.
Further, by lever operation of the start lever 15, rotation of the
reels 3, 4 and 5 is simultaneously started. The stop buttons 16, 17
and 18 are arranged in correspondence with the respective reels 3,
4 and 5. The operation of the respective stop buttons 16 through 18
is made effective when rotation of the respective reels 3 through 5
reaches a constant speed and rotation of the respective reels is
stopped in accordance with push button operation of the player.
Further, a sound emitting hole 19 and a coin tray 20 are installed
on the lower side of the front face of the slot machine 1. The
sound emitting hole 19 is for emitting sound generated from a
speaker contained inside the machine. The coin tray 20 is for
storing coins paid out from a coin outlet 21. Further, a prize
display portion 22 indicating how much coins are to be paid out
according to the prize is installed on the upper side of the front
face of the slot machine 1.
Further, a liquid crystal display unit 24 is installed at the front
panel 2 on the right side of the respective reels 3, 4 and 5. The
liquid crystal display unit 24 is a display device displaying
rotation of the respective reels 3, 4 and 5, displaying the history
of the game or carrying out a representation in a bonus game.
FIG. 6 shows a circuit constitution including a control unit for
controlling operation of game process in the slot machine 1 of the
embodiment and peripheral devices (actuators) electrically
connected thereto.
The control unit is constituted by a microcomputer (hereinafter,
referred to as micon) 30 as a major constituent element and
circuits for random number sampling in addition thereto. The micon
30 is constituted to include CPU 31 for carrying out a control
operation in accordance with a previously set program, ROM 32 and
RAM 33 as storing means. CPU 31 is connected with a clock pulse
generating circuit 34 and a divider 35 for generating reference
clock pulses, a random number generator 36 which is a random number
generating means for generating random numbers in constant ranges
and a random number sampling circuit 37 which is a random number
sampling means for sampling an arbitrary random number among the
generated random numbers.
As major actuators the operation of which are controlled by control
signals from the micon 30, there are the respective stepping motors
55 for driving to rotate the reels 3, 4 and 5, a hopper 38 for
containing coins, the liquid crystal display unit 24, a speaker 39
and the back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c. These are respectively driven
by a motor drive circuit 40, a hopper drive circuit 41, a display
drive circuit 42, a speaker drive circuit 43 and a lamp drive
circuit 48. The drive circuits 40 through 43 and 48 are connected
to CPU 31 via an I/O port of the micon 30. The respective stepping
motors 55 are excited in 1 or 2 phase excitation by the motor drive
circuit 40 and are respectively rotated by one rotation when drive
signals of 400 pulses are supplied.
Further, as major input signal generating means for generating
input signals necessary for forming control signals by the micon
30, there are a start switch 15S for detecting operation of the
start lever 15, a coin input sensor 9S for detecting coins input
from the coin slot 9 and the C/P switch 14 mentioned above. Also,
there are the photosensor 59 and a reel position detect circuit 44
for detecting rotational positions of the respective reels 3, 4 and
5 by receiving an output pulse signal from the photosensor 59.
The photosensor 59 detects the shield plate 60 at each rotation of
the respective reels 3, 4 and 5 and generates a reset pulse. The
reset pulse is transmitted to CPU 31 via the reel position detect
circuit 44. RAM 33 is stored with numerical values in
correspondence with the rotational positions in a range of one
rotation in respect of the reels 3 through 5 and when CPU 31
receives the reset pulse, CPU 31 clears the numerical values formed
in RAM 33 to "0". By the clearing operation, a deviation caused
between display of movement of each symbol and rotation of each
stepping motor 55 is resolved at every rotation.
Further, there are provided a reel stop signal circuit 45 and a pay
completion signal generating circuit 46 as the above-described
input signal generating means. The reel stop signal circuit 45
generates signals for stopping the reels 3, 4 and 5 when the stop
buttons 16, 17 and 18 are pushed. Further, a coin detect unit 47
counts a number of coins paid out from the hopper 38 and the pay
completion signal generating circuit 46 outputs a signal informing
completion of pay out of coins to CPU 31 when a counted value of
actually paid-out coins, which is inputted from the coin detect
unit 47 reaches data of a predetermined number of prize.
ROM 32 is stored with a procedure of a game process executed in the
slot machine 1 as a sequence program as well as a prize probability
table, a symbol table, a prize symbol combination table, and so on
which are respectively classified from each other.
The prize probability table constitutes random number classifying
means for classifying random numbers sampled by the sampling
circuit 37 into respective prize modes and stores data for
classifying random numbers in constant ranges generated by the
random number generator 36 to respective prize modes. Such a prize
probability table is constituted as shown by, for example, FIG. 7.
Notations a1, a2 and a3, b1, b2 and b3, c1, c2 and c3, d1, d2 and
d3, e1, e2 and e3, f1, f2 and f3, g1, g2 and g3 in FIG. 7,
designate previously set numerical value data which are used in
classifying random numbers sampled by the sampling circuit 37 into
respective prize modes. According to the data, there are used
combinations of respective numerical values of "a1, b1, c1, d1, e1,
f1 and g1" when a number of sheets of inputted coins is one, "a2,
b2, c2, d2, e2, f2 and g2" when it is two and "a3, b3, c3, d3, e3,
f3 and g3" when it is three.
These numerical values are set under a large or small relationship
of "a<b<c<d<e<f<g" and when a sampled random
number value is less than a, a big hit prize (big hit) is
constituted and a "BB" hit flag is erected. Further, when a sampled
random number value is equal to or more than a and less than b, a
medium hit prize (medium hit) is constituted and a "RB" hit flag is
erected. Further, when a sampled random number value is equal to or
more than b and less than f, a small hit prize (small hit) is
constituted and in this case, when it is equal to or more than b
and less than c, a "watermelon" hit flag is erected, when it is
equal to or more than c and less than d, a "bell" hit flag is
erected, when it is equal to or more than d and less than e, a "4
cherry" hit flag is erected and when it is equal to or more than e
and less than f, a "2 cherry" hit flag is erected. Further, when a
sampled random number value is equal to or more than f and less
than g, a "replay" hit flag is erected and when it is equal to or
more than g, a "blank" hit flag with no prize is erected.
That is, a prize mode is determined by the numerical value range to
which a sampled random number value pertains and is represented by
a total of 8 kinds of hit flags including "blank" and "replay". In
this case, the random number generator 36, the sampling circuit 37,
the prize probability table and the micon 30 constitute prize mode
determining means. Various hits are caused under probabilities in
accordance with data setting in such a prize probability table and
therefore, they are not controlled completely by the skill of the
player and a total coin pay rate in, for example, business hours of
one day is maintained substantially constant.
Further, FIG. 8 conceptually shows the symbol table. The symbol
table corresponds the rotational positions of the respective reels
3 through 5 with symbols and represents columns of symbols by
notations. The symbol table is stored with symbol codes in
correspondence with code numbers for the respective reels 3 through
5. The code numbers are successively provided at constant
rotational pitches of the respective reels 3 through 5 with the
rotational position for generating the reset pulse mentioned above
as a reference. The symbol codes designate symbols provided in
correspondence with the respective code numbers.
Further, the prize symbol combination table is stored with symbol
codes of respective prize symbol combinations displayed on the
prize display portion 22, symbol codes of symbol combinations
constituting the "reach spot" indicating to the player that flags
for causing a specific game are established, prize determination
codes representing respective prizes, a number of sheets of coins
for prize and so on. The prize symbol combination table is referred
when the first reel 3, the second reel 4 and the third reel 5 are
controlled to stop and when prize is confirmed after stopping all
of the reels.
Next, an explanation will be given of the operation of the game
machine controlled by the micon 30 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are flowcharts showing an outline of the game
process.
First, whether a coin BET is carried out is determined by CPU 31
(refer to step 101 of FIG. 9). The determination is "YES" when a
coin is inserted into the coin slot 9 and a detection signal from
the coin sensor 9S is inputted or signals from the BET switches 10,
11 and 12 are inputted. In this case, whether a start signal from
the start switch 15S is inputted by operating the start lever 15 is
determined (step 102).
When the determination is "YES", the determination of prize
(probability lottery processing) is carried out by the prize mode
determining means mentioned above (step 103). Timing of carrying
out prize determination is shown by a timing chart of FIG. 11E and
is carried out when operating the start lever 15 shown by FIG. 11D.
As mentioned above, the prize determination is carried out by
determining to which prize group a random number value generated at
the random number generator 36 and specified by the sampling
circuit 37, pertains in the prize probability table.
The prize mode determined by prize mode determining means is
represented by a kind of a hit flag. There are 8 kinds of "blank",
"2 cherry", "4 cherry", "bell", "watermelon", "replay", "RB" and
"BB" as kinds of hit flag. Among these hit flags, respective flags
of "2 cherry", "4 cherry", "bell" and "watermelon" are erected when
a small hit prize is hit as a result of the inner lottery. Further,
"RB" flag is erected when a medium hit prize is hit as a result of
the inner lottery and "BB" flag is erected when a big hit prize is
hit as a result of the inner lottery.
The hit flag of the small hit prize is effective only in the
current game and cannot be carried over to the next game which is
carried out by inserting a new coin. That is, the small hit prize
mode is finished with a game where the small hit flag is set by the
prize mode determining means. In contrast thereto, the RB hit flag
and the BB hit flag can be carried over to several games. That is,
according to bonus prize mode such as medium hit prize or big hit
prize, when the RB hit flag or the BB hit flag is once set by the
prize mode determining means, normally, the game state (RB is being
hit inside the machine or BB is being hit inside thereof) continues
until RB prize or BB prize is caused. Further, when RB prize is
caused, the game state is brought into a state of operating RB and
RB game, mentioned later, is carried out and when BB prize is
caused, the game state is brought into a state of operating BB and
BB game, mentioned later, is carried out.
Next, whether a hit flag of a small hit prize is erected is
determined as a result of determination of the prize (step 104).
When the hit flag of the small hit prize is erected, successively,
a process of emitting sound announcing the small hit (step 105) is
carried out. Further, when the hit flag of the small hit prize is
not erected, the processing shift to step 106, mentioned later.
According to the informing sound emitting processing at step 105,
the speaker drive circuit 43 is controlled by CPU 31 and informing
sound A, B, C or D in accordance with the kind of the hit flag of
the small hit prize is emitted from the speaker 39.
That is, informing sound A is emitted from the speaker 39 when the
hit flag of the small hit prize is "2 cherry" and informing sound
B, C and D are respectively emitted from the speaker 39 in the
cases of "4 cherry", "bell" and "watermelon". These informing
sounds are transmitted to the player via the sound emitting hole 19
on the lower side of the front face of the machine. In this case,
the speaker drive circuit 43, the speaker 39 and the micon 30
constitute informing means for announcing the small hit prize.
Timings of emitting the small hit prize informing sound A, B, C and
D are shown by FIG. 11A and the sound is emitted during a time
period of t1 immediately after the lottery timing shown by FIG.
11E.
Next, a processing of rotating the reels 3, 4 and 5 is carried out
(step 106), successively, a control of stopping the reels 3, 4 and
5 is carried out (step 107). The reel stopping control is carried
out in accordance with a kind of a hit flag which is set as a
result of prize determination. That is, when the hit flag is
"blank", the motor drive circuit 40 is controlled by CPU 31 and the
respective reels 3 through 5 are controlled to stop such that a
prize symbol combination is not aligned in any of the effective
prize lines.
Further, when a hit flag is "2 cherry", the motor drive circuit 40
is controlled by CPU 31 and the respectives reels 3 through 5 are
controlled to stop such that a combination of symbols "cherry" is
aligned in any of the effective prize lines. Further, when a hit
flag is "4 cherry", the respective reels 3 through 5 are controlled
to stop such that respective combinations of symbols "cherry" are
aligned on two of the effective prize lines. Further, when a hit
flag is "bell" or "watermelon" the respective reels 3 through 5 are
controlled to stop such that a combination of symbols "bell" or
"watermelon" is aligned on any of the effective prize lines.
Further, when a hit flag is "RB" or "BB", the respective reels 3
through 5 are controlled to stop such that a combination of symbols
"7" or predetermined character symbols is aligned on any of the
effective prize lines.
However, the stopping control is not totally carried out by the
machine but is dependent on operational timings of the respective
stop buttons 16 through 18 by the player. That is, even when the
prize hit flag is erected as a result of the inner lottery, when
the stop buttons 16 through 18 are not operated at predetermined
timings by the player, a prize combination of symbols is not
aligned on an effective prize line and the prize is not hit.
Therefore, next, whether display when the reels are stopped
constitutes a predetermined prize combination of symbols is
determined in reference to the prize symbol combination table (step
108). When the prize is not obtained, the determination is "NO" and
the processing returns to initial step 101. In the case of replay
game (replay) as a result of the prize determination, processings
return to a processing of awaiting for operating the start lever 15
at step 102 (step 109). In the case of a prize which is not replay
game, the hopper drive circuit 41 is controlled by CPU 31 and a
predetermined number of coins are paid out to the coin tray 20 by
the hopper 38 (FIG. 10, step 110).
For example, in the case of a small hit prize of "2 cherry", 2
coins are paid out and in the case of a small hit prize of "4
cherry", 4 coins are paid out. Further, in the case of a small hit
prize of "bell", 6 coins are paid out and in the case of a small
hit prize of "watermelon", 8 coins are paid out. Further, in the
case of a big hit prize of "BB" or "RB", 15 coins are paid out,
respectively.
Next, whether BB game is caused is determined (step 111) and when
BB game is caused, BB game is executed (step 112). According to the
BB game, sets of general game and bonus game can be carried out by
a plurality of times. In a general game of the BB game, a small hit
prize is caused with high probability. Further, a bonus game is a
game in which a plurality of times of high prize games constitute
one set. Even in a general game of the BB game, when a hit flag of
a small hit prize is erected by the inner lottery, informing sound
in accordance with the prize mode is emitted from the speaker 39,
as mentioned above.
When BB game is not caused, next, whether RB game is caused is
determined (step 113) and when RB game is caused, RB game is
executed (step 114). According to the RB game, the above-described
bonus game can be executed once. Therefore, although according to a
small hit prize, a small number of coins can be obtained as
mentioned above, in RB game or BB game, a large number of games can
be carried out and accordingly, normally, a large number of coins
can be acquired.
Thereafter, the above-described processings are repeated and the
slot machine game is carried out. At this occasion, the start lever
15 needs to operate at an interval of a time period t2, for
example, 4.1 seconds. For example, when successive lever operations
are carried out within a time period t2 from start lever operation
at a preceding time as shown by FIG. 11D, reel rotation inhibit
sound emitted from the speaker 39 at a timing shown by FIG. 11B. In
this case, FIG. 11C shows a rotational state of a reel which has
stopped in a preceding game, and the reel starts rotating after a
time period t2 since the start of the rotational operation of the
preceding game. In such a case, as shown by FIG. 11A, the small hit
prize informing sound of successive game is also emitted after time
period t2.
According to such an embodiment, the player can know in advance
that a small hit prize is caused by the inner lottery before
operating the respective stop buttons 16 through 18 by hearing
informing sound A, B, C or D emitted from the speaker 39.
Therefore, operation of the stop buttons 16 through 18 can be
carried out by aiming at stopping and displaying a small hit prize
symbol displayed at the prize display portion 22. When the small
hit prize is not informed, the player does not know which symbol is
to be stopped and displayed at the respective reels 3 through 5,
however, according to the embodiment, the kind of the pattern to be
stopped and displayed can be narrowed down and the stop button
operation is facilitated.
Further, according to the embodiment, the small hit prize informing
means is constituted such that a plurality of kinds of sound A, B,
C and D in one-to-one correspondence with the modes of the small
hit prizes are emitted and the kind of the small hit prize is also
informed to the player. Therefore, which small hit prize in the
small hit prizes is hit can be known in advance and operation of
the stop buttons 16 through 18 can be carried out by aiming at
stopping and displaying only the prize symbol from the start.
Therefore, the stop button operation can be carried out easily.
Further, when the small hit prize flag is erected, informing sound
A, B, C and D are emitted and accordingly, the player can also
enjoy the sound. For example, by constituting the respective
informing sound by animal cry such as elephant cry "pao" for the
informing sound A or tiger cry such as "gao" for the informing
sound B, interest in the informing sound is enhanced and enjoyment
of slot machine game is promoted.
Further, although according to the above-described embodiment, the
informing sound of hitting the inner lottery is constituted such
that a plurality of kinds of informing sounds are emitted in
one-to-one correspondence with the respective kinds of the small
hit prizes, the one-to-one correspondence is not necessarily
needed. For example, when the informing sound is constituted by 2
kinds of A and B and when the small hit prize is determined by the
prize mode determining means, informing sound A may be emitted from
the speaker 39 and when a big hit prize is determined, the
informing sound B may be emitted from the speaker 39. In this case,
it can be known that the hit flag of the small hit prize is erected
by a difference between the informing sound A and B. However, the
kind of the small hit prize cannot be known.
Also according to the invention, it can previously be known that
the hit flag of the small hit prize is erected by the inner lottery
and the kinds of symbols to be stopped and displayed at the
respective reels 3 through 5 can be narrowed down. Therefore, the
stop button operation is facilitated, further, the informing sound
can also be enjoyed.
Next, an explanation will be given of a second embodiment in which
a game machine according to the invention is applied to a slot
machine.
The constitution of the slot machine according to the embodiment
differs from the constitution of the slot machine according to the
first embodiment in the following respective points and the
constitutions other than these are the same as those of the slot
machine according to the above-described embodiment.
That is, according to the slot machine of the above-described
embodiment, when a small hit prize is drawn by the probability
lottery processing (FIG. 9, step 103), the small hit prize is
necessarily announced to the player by the informing means.
However, according to the slot machine of the embodiment, even when
a small hit prize is drawn by the probability lottery processing,
the small hit prize is not necessarily announced to the player.
Further, even when a prize mode other than small hit prize is
determined by the prize mode determining means, there is a case in
which a small hit prize is previously informed. Further, although
according to the above-described embodiment, the informing means is
constituted by the speaker 39, according to the embodiment, the
informing means is constituted by the respective back lamps 57a,
57b and 57c of the respective reels 3 through 5.
A detailed description will be given of the slot machine according
to the embodiment as follows.
According to the slot machine of the embodiment, ROM 32 is stored
with a prize mode informing selection lottery probability table.
The prize mode informing selection lottery probability table is
referred to when a prize mode determined by the prize mode
determining means is informed to the player with predetermined
probability.
The prize mode informing selection lottery probability table
exemplified in FIG. 12 is shown in correspondence with the
probability table of a 3 coin bet in the prize probability table
shown by FIG. 7. That is, at upper columns of the informing
selection lottery probability table, there are shown respective
values of numerical value data a3, b3, c3, d3, e3, f3 and g3 which
are hit section data in a 3 coin bet shown by FIG. 7. Further, at
lower columns, respective values of inform section data in 3 coin
bet general game are shown. In this case, the random number
generator 36 generates random numbers in a range of 0 through 65535
(=2.sup.16).
According to the table, when a random number in a range of 0
through 200 is sampled by the sampling circuit 37 in determining
the prize, the inner lottery result constitutes a big hit prize,
"BB" hit flag is erected. When a random number in a range of 201
through 380 is sampled by the sampling circuit 37, the inner
lottery result constitutes a medium hit prize and "RB" hit flag is
erected. Similarly, when a random number in a range of 381 through
10000 is sampled, a hit flag of a small hit prize of each kind is
erected. When a random number in a range of 10001 through 18000 is
sampled, "replay" hit flag is erected and when a random number in a
range of 18001 through 65535 is sampled, "blank" hit flag is
erected.
Further, when a random number in a range of 381 through 770 or
20381 through 20800 is sampled by the sampling circuit 37 in
determining the prize, "watermelon" hit flag is previously
informed. That is, when a random number in the range of 381 through
770 is sampled and "watermelon" hit flag is erected, a prize mode
of the "watermelon" hit flag is previously informed. Further, even
when a random number in a range of 20381 through 20800 is sampled
and "blank" hit flag is erected, the prize mode of the "watermelon"
hit flag is informed. In the meantime, when a random number in a
range of 771 through 800 is sampled and "watermelon" hit flag is
erected, the random number in the range is out of range of inform
section data of "watermelon" hit flag and accordingly, the prize
mode of the "watermelon" hit flag is not informed.
That is, even when prize mode of "watermelon" hit flag is informed,
the "watermelon" hit flag is not necessarily erected by the inner
lottery. Further, even when the prize mode of the "watermelon" hit
flag is not informed, it is not necessarily established that the
"watermelon" hit flag is not erected by the inner lottery. The
prize mode of the "watermelon" hit flag is informed under
predetermined reliability. In the case of the table shown by FIG.
12, the probability of informing the prize mode when the
"watermelon" hit flag is erected, is 390/810 or about 48% {(390 of
381-770)/(a sum of 390 of 381-770 and 420 of 20381-20800)}.
Further, the probability of informing the prize mode when the
"watermelon" hit flag is not erected is 420/810 or about 53%. As a
result, the operation of informing the prize mode is missed by the
probability of about 52%.
Such an operation of informing the prize mode is similarly carried
out in respect of other respective hit flag of other than a small
hit prize, a hit flag of "BB" or "RB" of a big hit or a medium hit
prize or a hit flag of "replay". However, the reliability of
informing the prize mode need not necessarily be uniform in all
prizes but may differ depending on a number of inserted coins or a
game state. For example, according to the table shown by FIG. 12,
the probability of hitting information of a "bell" hit flag is
1000/1100 or about 91% and the probability of missing the
information is 100/1100 or about 9%.
Next, an explanation will be given of the game process according to
the embodiment in reference to a flowchart shown by FIG. 13 and
timing charts shown by FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G,
14H, 14I and 14J.
Steps 121 through 123 of the flowchart are the same as steps 101
through 103 of the flowchart shown by FIG. 9 according to the first
embodiment and firstly, presence or absence of coin BET is
determined by CPU 31 (step 121). When coin BET is present,
successively, whether the start lever 15 is operated is determined
(step 122) and when the start lever 15 is operated, the prize mode
is determined by the above-described probability lottery processing
(step 123). Next, processing of rotating the reels 3, 4 and 5 is
carried out (step 124).
When the start lever 15 is operated at a timing shown by FIG. 14H,
as shown by FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C, the respective reels 3
through 5 simultaneously start rotating in accordance with
operation of the start lever 15. The probability lottery processing
at step 123 is carried out at a timing shown by FIG. 14I and is
carried out in operating the start lever 15.
Next, successive to the probability lottery processing, there is
carried out informing selection lottery processing of the prize
mode (step 125). The informing selection lottery timing is carried
out at a timing shown by FIG. 14J and is carried out immediately
after operating the start lever 15. As mentioned above, the
informing selection lottery processing of the prize mode is carried
out by the informing selection lottery probability table
exemplified in FIG. 12 and is carried out by determining to which
section of the inform section data of the probability table a
random number value specified by the sampling circuit 37 in
determining the prize pertains. A result of the informing selection
lottery is also written to a predetermined region of RAM 33 and in
the case the prize mode is previously informed, an informing flag
is set at step 125. The set informing flag also represents a kind
of the prize mode to be informed.
Next, it is determined whether a small hit prize informing flag is
erected by the informing selection lottery processing, that is,
whether the sampled random number value is a value pertaining to
inform section data of a small hit prize is determined (step 126).
When the sampled random number value pertains to the inform section
data of the small hit prize and the small hit prize informing flag
is erected, successively, a processing of controlling to light the
reel lamp (step 127) is carried out. Further, when the small hit
informing flag is not erected, processings are shifted to step
128.
Although according to the above-described first embodiment, a flag
which is referred to in previously informing a small hit prize is a
hit flag of the small hit prize, according to the embodiment, a
small hit prize informing flag is referred to in previously
informing the small hit prize. Therefore, as described above, the
small hit prize is announced under predetermined reliability and
the information may be hit or may be missed. Further, even when a
blank hit prize mode is determined by the prize mode determining
means, there is a case in which a small hit prize is known in
advance.
According to a reel lamp lighting control processing at step 127,
the lamp drive circuit 48 is controlled by CPU 31 and the
respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the first reel 3 are
controlled to light in accordance with the kind of the small hit
prize informing flag. In this case, the lamp drive circuit 48, the
respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c and the micon 30 constitute
informing means for announcing a small hit prize. Further, the
respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c built in the respective
reels 3 through 5 are simultaneously lighted when inserting
coins.
For example, when a flag to announce a small hit prize of "2
cherry" is set, at a timing shown by FIG. 14G in correspondence
with the informing selection lottery timing shown by FIG. 14J, only
the back lamp 57a at the upper stage of the first reel 3 is
extinguished as shown by FIG. 15A. At this occasion, the first reel
3 as well as the second reel 4 and the third reel 5 continue
rotating. Further, when a flag to announce a small hit prize of "4
cherry" is set, at a similar timing in accordance with the
informing selection lottery timing, only the back lamp 57b at the
middle stage of the first reel 3 is extinguished as shown by FIG.
15B. Further, when a flag announcing a small hit prize of "bell" is
set, at a timing in correspondence with the informing selection
lottery timing, only the back lamp 57c at the lower stage of the
first reel 3 is extinguished as shown by FIG. 15C. Further, when a
flag announcing a small hit prize of "watermelon" is set, at a
timing in correspondence with the informing selection lottery
timing, all of the back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the first reel 3
are extinguished as shown by FIG. 15D.
Thereafter, the reels 3, 4 and 5 are controlled to stop (step 128).
The reels are stopped at timings shown by, for example, FIG. 14D,
FIG. 14E and FIG. 14F and are stopped after operating respective
buttons of the first reel stop button 16, the second reel stop
button 17 and the third reel stop button 18. Further, in this case,
for convenience of explanation, the explanation has been given of a
case in which the first reel stop button 16, the second reel stop
button 17 and the third reel stop button 18 are operated in this
order and the respective reels 3 through 5 are stopped in the order
of the first reel 3, the second reel 4 and the third reel 5.
However, the order of stopping the respective r eels 3 through 5 is
not limited thereto but, for example, the reels may be stopped by a
random operation order as in, for example, the first reel stop
button 16, the third reel stop button 18 and the second reel stop
button 17.
Next, whether the display in stopping the reels constitutes a
predetermined prize combination of symbols is determined by
referring to the prize symbol combination table (step 129). When
the prize is not obtained, the processing returns to the initial
step 121 and in the case of a replay game as a result of prize
determination, the processing returns to a processing of awaiting
for operating the start lever 15 at the step 122 (step 130).
Processing thereafter is carried out similarly in accordance with
steps 110 through 114 of the flowchart shown by FIG. 10 explained
in the first embodiment.
According to the embodiment, the player can know that a small hit
prize is announced in advance by optically recognizing that the
back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the first reel 3 are extinguished
among the back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the respective reels 3
through 5 which are normally lighted in operating the start lever
15. Therefore, the small hit prize is announced before operating
the respective stop buttons 16 through 18 and accordingly, the
operation of the stop buttons 16 through 18 can be carried out by
aiming to stop and display the small hit prize patterns indicated
at the prize display portion 22.
Further, according to the invention, the informing means is
constituted to also announce the kind of the small hit prize to the
player by controlling to light the respective back lamps 57a, 57b
and 57c of the first reel 3 by four modes in one-to-one
correspondence with the modes of the small hit prizes. Accordingly,
the player can know in advance which small hit prize in small hit
prizes is provided with high probability of hit and the operation
of the stop buttons 16 through 18 can be carried out by aiming at
stopping and displaying only the prize symbols from the start.
Further, the respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c are lighted in
various modes and accordingly, the player can also enjoy the
display modes.
Further, the small hit prize mode is announced not in respect of
all of the result of the inner lottery but with the predetermined
probability as indicated in the informing selection lottery
probability table (refer to FIG. 12). Further, there is a case in
which a prize mode different from a prize mode determined by the
prize mode determining means is announced with a predetermined
probability. Therefore, the small hit prize mode is announced to
the player or may not be announced thereto. Therefore, information
of the small hit prize mode is expected by the player and when the
information is carried out, the pleasure is enhanced and enjoyment
of game is promoted.
Further, although according tot he above-described explanation of
the embodiment, the respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the
first reel 3 are constituted to announce the kind of the small hit
prize mode by controlling their lighting individually, there may be
constructed a constitution in which the respective back lamps 57a,
57b and 57c are controlled to simultaneously light for each of the
respective reels 3 through 5 and the kind of the small hit prize
mode to be announced. For example, when the small hit prize of "2
cherry" is announced, three of the respective back lamps 57a, 57b
and 57c of the first reel 3 are simultaneously extinguished and
when the small hit prize of "4 cherry" is announced, three of the
respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the second reel 4 are
simultaneously extinguished. Further, when the small hit prize of
"bell" is announced, three of the back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of
the third reel 5 are simultaneously extinguished and when the small
hit prize of "watermelon" is announced, all the back lamps 57a, 57b
and 57c of the respective reels 3 through 5 are simultaneously
extinguished.
Further, although in explaining the above-described embodiment, an
explanation has been given of a constitution in which the informing
means announces the small hit prize mode even when the "blank"
prize mode is determined by the prize mode determining means, there
may be constructed a constitution in which when a prize mode other
than the small hit prize is determined, the small hit prize mode is
not announced but the small hit prize mode is announced with
predetermined probability only when the small hit prize mode is
determined.
Further, although according to the above-described first
embodiment, an explanation has been given of the constitution in
which the small hit prize mode and its kind are announced by a
plurality of sounds emitted from the speaker 39, similar to the
above-described second embodiment, there can be constructed a
constitution in which these are announced by controlling the
lighting of the respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c in a
plurality of modes. Further, although according to the
above-described first embodiment, an explanation has been given of
the constitution in which when the hit flag of the small hit prize
is erected, the advance announcement is necessarily carried out by
the plurality of sounds, there may be constructed a constitution in
which the informing selection lottery probability table (refer to
FIG. 12) explained in the second embodiment is used and the small
hit prize is announced with predetermined probability.
Next, an explanation will be given of a third embodiment in which a
game machine according to the invention is applied to a slot
machine.
The constitution of the slot machine according to the embodiment
differs from the constitution of the slot machine according to the
above-described second embodiment in the following respective
points. Other features of the machine are the same as those in the
slot machine according to the above-described second embodiment.
That is, the slot machine according to the third embodiment differs
from the slot machine of the second embodiment in respective
contents of the informing selection lottery processing (FIG. 13,
step 125) and the reel lamp lighting control processing (step 127).
In accordance therewith, the table stored in ROM 32 of the control
circuit also differs.
According to the slot machine of the second embodiment, the
informing selection lottery processing is carried out by selecting
a prize mode to be announced in reference to the informing
selection probability lottery table (refer to FIG. 12) and previous
informing is carried out by selecting announcement information in
accordance with the prize mode. However, according to the informing
selection lottery processing of the slot machine of the third
embodiment, as described later, a demonstration lottery table
selecting table is referred to and the demonstration lottery table
is selected in accordance with game state and prize mode. Further,
the selected demonstration lottery table is referred to and the
announcement information is selected in accordance with a lottery
random number to thereby carry out the announcement.
Further, according to the slot machine of the second embodiment,
the reel lamp lighting control processing is carried out by
individually controlling the lighting of the respective back lamps
57a, 57b and 57c of the first reel 3. However, according to the
slot machine of the third embodiment, as described later, the
respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c are controlled to
simultaneously light for each of the respective reels 3 through
5.
A detailed description will be given of the slot machine according
to the third embodiment as follows.
According to the slot machine of the embodiment, a demonstration
lottery table selecting table shown by FIG. 16 and demonstration
lottery tables shown by FIG. 17 through FIG. 19 are stored in ROM
32. The demonstration lottery table selecting table and the
demonstration lottery tables constitute informing mode selecting
means for selecting a kind of an extinguishing pattern of reel back
lamps which the informing means controls to light in accordance
with the prize mode determined by the prize mode determining
means.
The demonstration lottery table selecting table is for selecting
demonstration lottery tables of No. 0 through No. 17 based on a
game state and a hit flag. The game state becomes clear by
referring to a game level status (GMLVSTS) storing region shown by
FIG. 20A, the GMLVSTS storing region is stored as data of 1 byte in
RAM 33. Bits 0 through 4 are stored with game states and game state
in which data is turned ON by being set to 1 is the game state at
that time. There are five kinds of game states, namely, "RB
operation", "BB operation", "general game", "in inner hit of RB"
and "in inner hit of BB".
A hit flag becomes clear by referring to a flag counter (FLGCTR)
storing region shown by FIG. 20B. The FLGCTR storing region is
stored also as data of 1 byte in RAM 33. A hit flag at that time is
indicated by 1 byte data of 00 through 07 of 16-adic.
For example, when data of bit 2 of GMLVSTS is set to 1 (04H) and
data of FLGCTR is 02H, the game state is a general game and the hit
flag is 4 cherry. Therefore, the demonstration lottery table at
that time is a demonstration lottery table of No. 2 from
demonstration lottery table selecting table. The No. 2
demonstration lottery table is shown by FIG. 17 and the kind of a
reel lamp extinguishing pattern is selected by lottery, mentioned
later, using the lottery values indicated in the table. For
example, when a combination of a row of a lottery value 49 is
selected in the demonstration lottery table of No. 2, the reel lamp
extinguishing pattern becomes pattern 2.
Further, in the case in which the game state status is general game
and the flag counter is 4 cherry, as mentioned above, when a
combination of a row of lottery value 30 at the lowest column of
the No. 2 demonstration lottery table is selected, the reel lamp
extinguishing pattern becomes pattern 3. Further, when data of bit
2 of GMLVSTS is set to 1 and data of FLGCTR is 04H, the game state
is general game and the hit flag is watermelon. The demonstration
lottery table at this occasion is a demonstration lottery table of
No. 4 from the demonstration lottery table selecting table.
The No. 4 demonstration lottery table is shown by FIG. 17 and when
a row of lottery value 14 is selected from the table by lottery,
according to a representation mode combination at this occasion,
the reel lamp extinguishing pattern becomes pattern 3. That is,
even in the game establishing a different hit flag, depending on a
value of a random number for determining a previously informing
pattern, there is a possibility in which the same previously
informing pattern emerges.
In this way, although the kind of hit flag is announced to the
player by the kind of a reel lamp extinguishing pattern determined
in accordance with the game state at that occasion, the reliability
is not uniform. For example, even when a hit flag of 4 cherry in a
general game is informed previously as described above, the 4
cherry flag is not necessarily hit at that occasion. That is, the
probability of informing the player when a 4 cherry flag is hit in
a general game is X (=0 through 100) % and the probability for
informing the player even when the 4 cherry flag is not hit in a
general game is (100-X) %.
Further, similar to the second embodiment, in this third
embodiment, the lamp drive circuit 48, the back lamps 57a, 57b and
57c and the micon 30 constitute informing means for displaying the
respective reels 3 through 5 and announcing a prize mode to the
player with predetermined probability. There are five kinds of
display modes represented by the informing means.
The first display mode is a display mode of "no reel lamp
extinguishing pattern" and the informing means brings the
respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the respective reels 3
through 5 into a state in which they remain lighted without being
extinguished immediately after operating the start lever 15. The
second display mode is a display mode of "reel lamp extinguishing
patten 1" shown by FIG. 21A in which the respective back lamps 57a,
57b and 57c of the first reel 3 are extinguished immediately after
operating the start lever 15. The third display mode is a display
mode of "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 2" shown by FIG. 21B in
which the respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the second reel
4 are extinguished immediately after operating the start lever 15.
The fourth display mode is a display mode of "reel lamp
extinguishing pattern 3" shown by FIG. 21C in which the respective
back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the third reel 5 are extinguished
immediately after operating the start lever 15. The fifth display
mode is a display mode of "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 4" shown
by FIG. 21D in which the respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of
all the reels 3 through 5 are extinguished immediately after
operating the start lever 15.
Further, the respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c built in the
respective reels 3 through 5 are simultaneously lighted when coins
are inserted.
The display mode of "no reel lamp extinguishing pattern" emerges
with high probability when the flag counter becomes "blank" in the
demonstration lottery table selecting table and No. 17
demonstration lottery table is selected or when the flag counter
becomes "replay" and No. 0 demonstration lottery table is selected.
Further, the display mode of "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 1"
corresponds to a small hit prize of "2 cherry" and emerges with
high probability when the flag counter becomes "2 cherry" in the
demonstration lottery table selecting table and the demonstration
lottery tables No. 1, No. 5, No. 9 and No. 13 are selected.
Further, the display mode of "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 2"
corresponds to a small hit prize of "4 cherry" and emerges with
high probability when the flag counter becomes "4 cherry" in the
demonstration lottery table selecting table and the demonstration
lottery tables No. 2, No. 6, No. 10 and No. 14 are selected.
Further, the display mode of "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 3"
corresponds to a small hit prize of "bell" and emerges with high
probability when the flag counter becomes "bell" in the
demonstration lottery table selecting table and the demonstration
lottery tables No. 3, No. 7, No. 11 and No. 15 are selected. The
display mode of "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 4" corresponds to
a small hit prize of "watermelon" and emerges with high probability
when the flag counter becomes "watermelon" in the demonstration
lottery table selecting table and the demonstration lottery tables
No. 4, No. 8, No. 12 and No. 16 are selected.
Also, the game process according to the embodiment is represented
similar to the flowchart shown by FIG. 13 used in the
above-described second embodiment and the flowchart shown by FIG.
10 successive thereto. Next, an explanation will be given of the
game process according to the embodiment in reference to the
flowcharts and the timing charts shown by FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D,
14E, 14F, 14G, 14H, 14I and 14J.
Also in the embodiment, firstly, presence or absence of coin BET is
determined by CPU 31 (FIG. 13, step 121). In the case of presence
of coin BET, successively, whether the start lever 15 is operated
is determined (step 122) and when the start lever 15 is operated, a
prize mode is determined by the above-described probability lottery
processing (step 123). Next, the processing of rotating the reels
3, 4 and 5 is carried out (step 124).
Next, the informing selection lottery processing of the prize mode
is carried out (step 125). The informing selection lottery timing
is carried out at the timing shown by FIG. 14J as mentioned above
and is carried out immediately after operating the start lever 15.
The informing selection lottery processing is carried out in
accordance with a flowchart shown by FIG. 22.
First, the GMLVSTS region stored in RAM 33 (refer to FIG. 20A) is
referred to and game state at that occasion is determined (FIG. 22,
step 201). Next, data stored in the FLGCTR region is referred to
and the kind of the hit flag is determined (202). Next, any one of
No. 0 through No. 17 demonstration lottery tables is selected in
reference to the demonstration lottery table selecting table (refer
to FIG. 16) based on game state and the kind of the hit flag at
that occasion (step 203). Next, a counter value C is sampled from a
counter for refreshing RAM 33 at constant time intervals at an
arbitrary timing (step 204).
The counter value C is varied in a range of 0 through 127 and the
random number lottery is carried out for selecting the informing
mode by using the sampled counter value C. That is, a lottery value
R at the uppermost row of a demonstration lottery table selected at
step 203 is subtracted from the counter value C and positiveness or
negativeness of the result of subtraction A (=C-R) is determined
(step 205). When the result of subtraction A does not become
negative, successively, a lottery value at a next row of the table
is set to the lottery value R (step 206), thereafter, a subtraction
of A-R is carried out and positiveness or negativeness of the
result A (=A-R) is determined (step 207). The calculation is
carried out until the result of subtraction A becomes negative and
when the result of subtraction A becomes negative, a reel lamp
extinguishing pattern of the row of the lottery value R is selected
to a representation mode which is to be previously informed (step
208).
For example, when a 4 cherry flag is hit in a general game, as
mentioned above, there is selected the No. 2 demonstration lottery
table as mentioned above and the selection lottery processing of
display mode at this occasion is carried out as follows. First,
when 15 is sampled as the refresh counter value C at step 204, in
the subtraction of C--R at step 205, the lottery value R is first
set with a lottery value 3 at the uppermost row and the result of
subtraction becomes A=15-3=12. The result of subtraction A is
positive and accordingly, successively, a lottery value 10 at the
next row of the table is set to the lottery value R and
positiveness or negativeness of the result of subtraction A=12-10=2
is determined. The result of subtraction A is also positive and
therefore, successively, a lottery value 5 at the next row of the
table is set to the lottery value R and positiveness or
negativeness of the result of subtraction A=2-5=-3 is determined.
The result of subtraction A is negative and accordingly, the reel
lamp extinguishing pattern 1 at the row of the lottery value 5 is
selected as the previously informing mode.
The result of the informing selection lottery is written to the
predetermined region of RAM 33 and an informing flag is set at step
125. At this occasion, when "no reel lamp extinguishing pattern" is
selected as the previously informing mode, no informing flag is
set. Further, when "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 1" is selected
as the previously informing mode, an informing flag of a small hit
prize of "2 cherry" is set and when "reel lamp extinguishing
pattern 2" is selected as the previously informing mode, an
informing flag of a small hit prize of "4 cherry" is set. Further,
when "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 3" is set as the previously
informing mode, an informing flag of a small hit prize of "bell" is
set and when "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 4" is selected as the
previously informing mode, an informing flag of a small hit prize
of "watermelon" is set.
Next, it is determined whether an informing flag of a small hit
prize is erected by the informing selection lottery processing
(FIG. 13, step 126). When the informing flag of a small hit prize
is erected, successively, the reel lamp lighting control processing
(step 127) is carried out. When the informing flag of a small hit
prize is not erected, the processing is shifted to step 128.
According to the reel lamp lighting control processing at step 127,
the lamp drive circuit 48 is controlled by CPU 31 and the
respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the respective reels 3
through 5 are controlled to light in accordance with a kind of a
hit informing flag.
For example, when the previously informing flag is set as a small
hit prize of "2 cherry" at the timing shown by FIG. 14G in
correspondence with the informing selection lottery timing shown by
FIG. 14J, the respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the first
reel 3 are extinguished as shown by FIG. 21A. At this occasion, the
first reel 3 as well as the second reel 4 and the third reel 5
continue rotating. As mentioned above, the display mode corresponds
to "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 1" and emerges with high
probability in the small hit of "2 cherry". Further, when the
previously informing flag is set as the small hit prize of "4
cherry" at a similar timing in correspondence with the informing
selection lottery timing, the respective back lamps 57a, 57b and
57c of the second reel 4 are extinguished as shown by FIG. 21B. The
display mode corresponds to "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 2" and
emerges with high probability in the small hit of "4 cherry".
Further, when the previously informing flag is set as the small hit
prize of "bell", at a similar timing in correspondence with the
informing selection lottery timing, the respective back lamps 57a,
57b and 57c of the third reel 5 are extinguished as shown by FIG.
21C. The display mode corresponds to "reel lamp extinguishing
pattern 3" and emerges with high probability in the small hit of
"bell". Further, when the previously informing flag is set as the
small hit prize of "watermelon" at a similar timing in
correspondence with the informing selection lottery timing, the
respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of all the reels 3 through 5
are extinguished as shown by FIG. 21D. The display mode corresponds
to "reel lamp extinguishing pattern 4" and emerges with high
probability in the small hit of "watermelon".
Thereafter, the control of the reels 3, 4 and 5 is carried out
(FIG. 13, step 128). The reels are stopped at timings shown by FIG.
14D, FIG. 14E and FIG. 14F and are stopped after operating
respective buttons of the first reel stop button 16, the second
reel stop button 17 and the third reel stop button 18.
Next, it is determined whether display in stopping the reels
constitutes a predetermined prize combination of symbols in
reference to the prize symbol combination table (step 129). When
the prize is not obtained, the processing returns to the initial
step 121 and when the result of the prize determination is replay
game, the processing returns to awaiting for operating start lever
15 at step 122 (step 130).
Processing thereafter is similarly carried out in accordance with
steps 110 through 114 of the flowchart shown by FIG. 10 explained
in the first embodiment.
In this way, also according to the embodiment, the player can know
the occurrence of a small hit prize by optically recognizing
extinguishing of the back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c of the respective
reels 3 through 5 which are normally lighted in operating the start
lever 15. Therefore, a small hit prize is previously informed
before operating the respective stop buttons 16 through 18 and
accordingly, operation of the stop buttons 16 through 18 can be
carried out by aiming to stop and display a small hit prize pattern
shown by the prize display portion 22.
Further, also according to the embodiment, the informing means is
constituted to control to light the respective back lamps 57a, 57b
and 57c of the respective reels 3 through 5 by a mode in one-to-one
correspondence with the mode of the small hit prize and to announce
the kind of the small hit prize to the player. Therefore, the
player can know in advance which small hit prize in small hit
prizes is provided with high probability of hit and operation of
the stop buttons 16 through 18 can be carried out by aiming to stop
and display only the prize symbol from the start. Further, the
respective back lamps 57a, 57b and 57c are lighted in various modes
and therefore, the player can also enjoy the display mode.
Further, the small hit mode is not announced with every result of
the inner lottery but announced with predetermined probability by
random number lottery using the demonstration lottery tables (refer
to FIG. 17 through FIG. 19). Further, there is a case in which a
prize mode different from a prize mode determined by the prize mode
determining means is announced with predetermined probability.
Therefore, the small hit prize mode may be informed to the player
or may not be informed thereto. Thus, information of the small hit
prize mode is expected by the player and when the small hit prize
is informed, the pleasure is enhanced and enjoyment of game is
promoted.
Further, also according to the above-described embodiment, it may
be constructed such that when a prize mode other than a small hit
prize is determined, the small hit prize mode is not announced in
advance and only when the small hit prize mode is determined, the
small hit prize mode is announced with predetermined
probability.
Also by such respective constitution, an effect similar to those in
the above-described respective embodiments is achieved.
Further, although an explanation has been given of the case in
which the game machine according to the present invention is
applied to a slot machine in the above-described embodiments as
mentioned above, the present invention is not limited thereto but
is applicable to, for example, a pinball game machine such as a
pachinko machine or other amusement machines.
When the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine, flow
of the game such as operation of the start lever, sampling of a
random number for determining a prize mode and starting to rotate
reels in the slot machines of the above-described respective
embodiments, is replaced by flow of game such as input of pachinko
balls to a specified prize hole, sampling of a random number for
determining a prize mode and starting to rotate slot machine reels
integrated into the pachinko machine. Further, operation of paying
out coins which is carried out when symbols of reels are stopped
and displayed to constitute a specific mode in the slot machines of
the above-described respective embodiments, is replaced by
rewarding a special prize in the pachinko game as in providing a
large number of balls to the player by opening a variable prize
device of attacker or tulip in the pachinko machine.
Although the present invention has been explained in reference to
the embodiments, it is apparent for those skilled in the art that
many changes and modifications can be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention, as clear from the following
claims.
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